Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla has returned to Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Seychelles.
Turkish tactician Engin Firat unveiled a squad of 28 players and among those making a comeback is K’Ogalo striker Omalla, who is currently the leading scorer in the FKF Premier League with six goals. Omalla’s last appearance for Kenya came in June during the away friendly against Mauritius.
The squad has a blend of local and internationally-based players, with Orlando City’s Nabi Kibunguchy, Murang’a Seal’s Eric Balecho, and KCB’s Hanif Wesonga earning their maiden call-ups. Gaborone United’s Duncan Otieno, Elfsborg’s Timothy Ouma, and UTA ARAD’s (Romania) Eric Johanna also make a return to the team.
There is no room for Gor Mahia’s Geoffrey Ochieng, who has impressed for the FKF Premier League defending champions Gor Mahia. Harambee Stars will first play against Gabon on Thursday, November 16, in Franceville, and then against Seychelles on Monday, November 20, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Foreign-based players are expected to start checking in from Friday, November 10. The team’s first training session shall be held on Saturday, November 11. Departure to Gabon has been slated for Wednesday, November 15, at 8 am. Kenya has been drawn in Group F of the qualifiers alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.
Kenya squad; Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Ian Otieno (Zesco), and Joseph Ochuka (Bandari).
Defenders; Nabi Kibunguchy (Orlando City), Hanif Wesonga (KCB), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Eric Ouma (AIK), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Johnstone Omurwa (CF Estrela), and Amos Nondi (Ararat).
Midfielders; Duncan Otieno (Gaborone United), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Duke Abuya (Singida), Ayub Masika (Nanjing City), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Eric Balecho (Murang Seal), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Eric Johanna (UTA ARAD), Richard Odada (Aalborg), Alfred Scriven (Hodd), and Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg).
Forwards; Masud Juma (Al Faisaly), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), and Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia).